The company and bargaining committee discussed contract intent and back to work agreement.  Alltel will be making copies of the contract and they will be handed out at the meetings. The meetings will cover details of the contract and back to work agreement. 

Talks broke off about 6:00 pm Friday.

The committee is still discussing the return to work agreement clause. This needs to be agreed upon before we can bring the contract back to be voted on.

We are now proof reading the final document that Alltel provided us. The committee will meet again on Monday in Lexington with Alltel to make sure we understand the intent of all the changes.

This is not a tentative agreement.  The bargaining committee has not endorsed it, but has agreed to bring it back to the membership so they can see what is being offered.

 Still no agreement.  Bargaining will resume on Thurs. 9-11-03

 No Agreement  reached. Bargaining committees meet again on Sept 2 & 3.

   Dates for the bargaining session with the mediator have been set for Aug. 4th and 5th.  Any further details that become available will be posted when they are received.

    No movement by the company today.  They still want to eliminate 5 job classifications and contract those positions, plus use contractors in the maintenance side of the house when they deem it necessary.

    With no movement the union will ask for a mediator to step in and try to resolve the issues and help to reach an agreement.

Alltel did agree to calling in a mediator.

    We met today and discussed Article 20 - Contractor Issues, very little movement by the company.

    Alltel did offer 80/20 on active employee insurance (they pay 80% of the premium, we pay 20%) but still not much movement on retiree benefits.

    The Union did offer the existing contract again, without any wage increase.  They seemed to think this was humorous.

    We will just have to wait and see what tomorrow holds.

Stay Strong ! ! !

Your Bargaining Committee

Bargaining is to begin July 9th in Lexington and I hope Alltel is serious about trying to settle the strike by offering a fair contract. We fought hard for our benefits, none of which were given to us by Alltel. We are asking to keep what we already have.

Alltel says, " We can't give more to Kentucky Employees than other areas". What they are not saying is we already had these when they purchased us. In order to even things out, they have to take away from us and keep the savings for themselves. 

Other companies have made money here in Kentucky while paying these benefits. I conclude that Alltel is either greedy or not smart enough to run this business as well as GTE or Verizon. We can't help the fact that Alltel has treated their employees as second class telephone workers when compared with their competitors.

This company is profitable and they need to share with employees, who in turn, share with the communities they live in and Alltel offers service.

Alltel did receive pension money for all employees from Verizon, but they seem to want to try to keep some of the pension money for themselves even though they did not provide the funds.

By making the company's payment for a medical a flat dollar amount, all future increases will be paid by employee at no additional cost to the company.

This company can do what's right and both of us can look to the future and expand or horizons together or continue to face off and fight over models while competition eats our lunch.

How many SCABS does it take to put up one drop? Answer: 5 contractors and six security guards. DO THE MATH. This could have been settled for much less than it costs to continue.

Alltel, stop abusing your own employees whom you need, and heal the rift you have created by trying to erode benefits, job security, and start listening to better ways to do business that will make employees and customers happy.

Phil

1. Jimmy Smith, Vice President of CWA District 3 will be in Ashland, Monday, June 30th. He plans to visit picket lines in the Ashland area.

2. Pennsylvania has not reached a tentative agreement as Alltel has reported. There is no settlement at the present time. Alltel, true to form, has not reported the full truth.

3. All the rumors that may be floating around need to be verified before being repeated. The company has not contacted your bargaining committee to schedule any meetings.

4. I personally want to thank all of you for your dedicated effort to ensure your future is not taken away from you by Alltel. They have proven they don't care for your needs. I hope they will see that the employees, customers, and company make up a three-way support system for success. If you saw one off, the system will fail.

5. We really appreciate the public support. They know that takebacks will not lower customer bills. I hope we all have a renewed appreciation of how much they have helped us and how we can help them.

6. Be sure to let us know if you recognize anyone on our Scab pages.

7. Be sure to patronize businesses that have supported us. We also have a list of businesses that have crossed our picket lines and volunteered to work against our cause, thus prolonging our struggle.

8. Remember that Alltel has probably spent more money to keep us on strike than to settle it.

9. We want to thank security for all of our "screen tests" so maybe we can be discovered by a talent agency in the future.

10. ALLTEL: Get back to the table and do what's right.

Phil Coldiron

We (Lexington) had a great rally today. (Lexington) Mayor Isaacs, the state senators and representatives that were there are evidence of the support we have. The pressure continues to build on Alltel. If we continue to stand tough we will get the fair contract we deserve. Remember who our friends are when it comes time to vote.

Beeler still has trouble with the truth. He was quoted today saying that Alltel had reached a tentative agreement in Pennsylvania. Well the truth is that that is untrue. The company and the union made headway yesterday using a reduced committee. The entire committee will meet next Thursday to vote on yesterday's accomplishments and if they agree then there will be a tentative agreement.

I’ve finally figured out that if I just believe the exact opposite of what Beeler says I will be closer to reality. Alltel could sure use some good ethical leadership in Kentucky.

Denial letters are being sent from the unemployment office. This is standard. There is a provision in the letter for an appeal. Follow this and a date will be set up for a hearing. We will then appear and give our testimony as to what happened. A decision will then be given.

Mike G.

As you’ve already heard we won’t be meeting with the company on the 18th. That was just someone’s overactive imagination working. Maybe if they’d put that imagination to good use they could contribute something to the solution instead of continuing to be part of the problem.

We will meet with them when a time can be worked out and when there are new positions to be brought forward.

By the way we detest the imaginary vandalism that is supposedly still occurring. I would suggest that you call 1-800-901-1817, the Alltel vandalism hotline, and report any suspicious activity around any of their equipment. With all the contractors out there in unmarked vehicles I’m sure that we will keep the hotline busy with suspicious activity.

Keep manning your pickets and keep in touch with your picket captain.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike.

We’ve been playing phone tag with Bill Moul, the company’s bargaining chair all day. He called Judy Dennis this morning and we’ve called back several times trying to make contact. As soon as I know something I will pass it on.

We do know that the company is meeting with Pennsylvania on this Thursday at 10AM in Philadelphia.

Your last check will be delivered as follows: If you normally had direct deposit that will be how you receive it. If you normally picked it up the company will mail it to you.

One thing we probably agree with the company about is the SCABS. I’m sure that they disrespect them as much as us. After all how can you ever trust someone who has turned their backs on their beliefs. They’ve made a mockery of their past and screwed up their future. They’ve taken their 30 pieces of silver and now must live with their decision.

We continue to stay strong. Leonard is organizing mobile pickets to picket the SCABS where they’re working. Word is that it works so well the SCABS in north Carolina working the Verizon strike are leaving because of it. And Ashland is having good success using it.

Our NLRB Charges and our PSC complaint are all coming together. The company will be busy answering these as well as dealing with the unemployment compensation issues.

In Solidarity for your local this is Mike G

Well I guess everybody saw Beeler's letter in the (Lexington) Herald. We will be placing an ad shortly to counter his half-truths. I’ll let you know when it will be running.

In the meantime we are running another series of ads on various radio stations in the area.

I will be in Louisville on Monday with our PSC and NLRB attorneys.

Remember to have your friends, family, and neighbors cancel their calling features.

Keep up with your picket duty and stay in touch with your picket captains.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike G

We officially answered Beeler's comment (on the radio talk show) that Alltel wanted to meet on the 18th. I’ll quote Judy Dennis’s answer and you can get copies at the hall from Denise Jefferson.

Judy said, "The CWA bargaining team wishes to continue negotiations if in fact this is Alltel’s intent. However, I suggest the proper procedure be followed, and the request be made to me by the Alltel bargaining chair Bill Moul, or I receive notification that you, in fact, have assumed responsibility for contract negotiations."

Truth is Beeler is just playing to the press. They’re trying to get Pennsylvania back to the table at the same time as us and you just can’t be in 2 places at once.

As yet Alltel has not responded to us.

                           ----------------------------------------------------

Our new Website is now operating and I want to thank Terry Gabbard for stepping up and getting us going again. This will be an abbreviated site with only strike information for now.  (Note from webmaster - We will post the new Lexington website address when we get it.)

Terry (Gabbard) has said she will keep us going until someone volunteers to take it over. Volunteers can call me.

Remember next week we will be taking some road trips to bring our message to other parts of the country where Alltel operates.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike G

         Friends, As you know CWA of Ashland, Morehead, Hazard, and Lexington went on strike against Alltel on June 7th at midnight.
The locals of these areas offered the company the same contract we have now without any wage increases. Alltel rejected without an extension. Members of CWA want to keep our jobs locally without out of state contracting doing the work

We are asking our friends to call their family and friends to discontinue all call features such as call waiting, call forwarding, voice mail, Alltel long distance, inside wiring plan, and cell service. We are also going to make yard signs to place in the yards of our supporters. 

     The bargaining team has spent the last 3 days talking about job eliminations. I really feel we are not getting thru to this company that this is a big issue.

     Still no change on the pension or insurance. Alltel still feels that they have made us a good proposal on cutting jobs, insurance, and pensions. I just wonder if Joe Ford, retired CEO of Alltel, could donate some of his $200,000.00 a month retirement pay to keep the company from stealing ours. It sounds crazy, but Alltel believes we should pay them for buying us.

     We, as your negotiation team, have been working hard to reach a fair contract, but it seems Alltel is not concerned with what we have to say.     

     The bargaining committee today discussed the company's proposal to eliminate job classifications and use of contractors.  After all day of trying to come to an agreement, no agreement was reached.

     Negotiation will continue tomorrow and who knows what hand they will put in our pockets.

     The new beefed up security at job sites should have been hired by us, the company is the one trying to steal from us.

The company has modified their proposals on active health care to 75% paid by the company and 25% paid by the employee. They also modified retiree health care to 50% for 2004, 25% for 2005, and $80.00 paid by company for 2006 and after. They were gracious enough to extend the lump sum until May 17th 2004 which they already agreed to last year. Thanks to the company for honoring what we already had.

     We still have on the table the elimination of jobs and titles, contractor issues, as well as sales. They have not moved enough to get close to a fair contract. Alltel is still profitable, but says they think their offers are not aggressive and also that your services are only worth what they want to offer. They want to scare you into giving them your earned benefits.

     We all need to thank Mr. Beeler for his uplifting letter. Let's lift up ourselves and unite to show this company that moving back and take backs are not an option.

     Wages offered were 2% the 1st year, 2% the second year, and 1.5% the third year. That equals 5 1/2% over 3 years. That and their take backs will cost you more for the privilege of working for them in the future.

     We want a future and we hope Alltel will wake up and do the right thing for employees and customers.

     Thanks, Phil Coldiron

The company has stated they have reviewed our proposals and thought they would not agree to any of our proposals.

Today, the company rejected 20 of our proposals, of which we withdrew 4, equaling 24.

Alltel negotiation committee said we should be working off their proposals. Company also stated  the proposals they submitted are non-aggressive and are needed to fit their business model. They want to run Kentucky as they do everywhere else, regardless of what George Page told us in the pre-transition meeting in July.

Alltel has not backed off the medical benefit for retirees proposal 1, which will pay $80.00 a month for medical insurance.

You have received a letter or will receive a letter from Terry Beeler concerning medical insurance if there is a strike. Remember, Terry Beeler and Alltel are not your friends, because friends don't have their hands in your pocket.  We feel this is a scare tactic to undermine your bargaining committee and your resolve.

We will need to stand together for the benefit of all.

Discussed seniority and net credited service.

Discussed articles 16,17,18 - Promotions, Job vacancies, and training. Discussion on how the company would like to fill job vacancies.  

Alltel still not withdrawing any take backs on any proposals.

 INSURANCE -

Currently, Alltel is calculating insurance by not combining active and retiree employees together to determine monthly cost of the insurance.

What this means is pooling retiree employees together, which is a pool of greater age group, thus meaning higher premiums for insurance for this group.

Verizon calculated active and retirees in one pot to keep lower insurance reducing monthly payments.

We are currently protesting this method of calculating.

They are currently using this method now if someone would retire. Real dirty, but this company just don't care!

Mike Roberts said by using this calculations his insurance is by far a lot more expensive.

We met with the company Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in Ashland.

On Wednesday, the Company wanted to discuss their proposal for a dress code.  I guess this is really important to them.  Reminds me of Nero fiddling while Rome burned.

Anyway, their dress code proposal says.. You cannot wear T-shirts if you’re in a technician position.  You must have a collared shirt.  If you’re in a non-technician job, such as assignment, you can’t wear jeans or tennis shoes.

Also, get this, it says that your undergarments cannot be visible.  I guess that means that if you are wearing a collared shirt with the collar unbuttoned and your undershirt is showing, they can send you home.

From there, they wanted to discuss proposals that continued their assault on seniority.

Then it was on to contractors, where they admitted that the bottom line to their proposal would eventually allow them to contract out every job in the local if they so desired.

I’ll repeat that sentence again, so there’s no misunderstanding.  The Company admitted that the bottom line to their proposal would eventually allow them to contract out every job in the local if they so desired.

They did say then that they did not foresee that happening, so I guess they just want us to trust them.

It did get somewhat better.  They finally gave us some modifications and withdrawals on their original proposals and said they did this in an attempt to have us discuss their first four proposals.

We responded that they should make these proposals reasonable, so that we could have reasonable discussions.

Copies of the proposals and modifications will be available at the union hall (Lexington) starting Tuesday around 11 a.m.  Stop by and pick up a copy.

We go back to the table Monday, June 2^ND and will be meeting at the Lexington Green Hilton.

In solidarity, Mike

There was some discussion last night about what Alltel's other proposals are. Over and above the most regressive ones that we keep talking about…well here’s some more.

· They want to stop all employer contributions to your 401.
· Add a management rights clause that gives them extraordinary powers

· Take partial control of our union bulletin boards.

· Change the time frames on arbitration to make it more difficult for us to get cases to arbitration.

· Not pay a penalty when overtime is not equalized.

· Do away with vacation banking.

And on…and on…and on.

It’s just a shame that central Kentucky has to be exposed to this type of people.

I understand they’re passing out Alltel shirts to select groups so you’ll look good for the customers. We have a pretty good collection of Alltel shirts and other stuff here at the hall. So feel free to donate any unwanted items.

We’ll be back at the table with them next week in Ashland for a little bit of Eastern Kentucky hospitality.

Thanks for all your support and effort.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike G

                                                              ALLTEL BARGAINING UPDATE May 9, 2003

We met with the company Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week. They made it very clear that their goal was to mold our local into their own model. As relates to contracting this means that they would have a broad use of contractors to the point of seriously eroding our bargaining unit and the quality of service provided to the company’s customers.

They continue to insist on the elimination of coei, building service techs, lineworkers, public access sales techs, and the garage. Then replace them with contractors, of course.

All other company take away proposals remain on the table and are being discussed.

They told us today that the current rain has caused more trouble than they can handle and that they will be bringing in more contractors. They claim that will be offering all the overtime you can handle. They will be sending me daily contractor reports and reports of overtime offered and taken. If you are not allowed to work overtime let me know.

We will be meeting again on May 21, 22, 23 at our sister local hall in Ashland.

In solidarity for your local this is Mike G.

                                                         ALLTEL BARGAINING UPDATE APRIL 30, 2003

Strike vote overwhelmingly approved. Last night our Alltel members gave their bargaining team the authority to strike. The team returns to the bargaining table on May 7th. We're hopeful that the company will finally begins to realize that their regressive proposals need to be discarded. Updates will be posted as we progress.

In Solidarity,
Mike G.

                                              ALLTEL BARGAINING UPDATE APRIL 24, 2003

We finished up this session of bargaining with Alltel yesterday. Nothing much has changed. All their earlier initial proposals remain on the table. Much the time was spent on the grievance procedure, ready to serve and overtime equalization.

It was stated by the company at the table that we were still in a service emergency situation. Being the skeptical person that I am I wrote Terry Beeler and asked that he confirm this. I can’t believe that 2 months after an ice storm this emergency still exists.

We will return to the table on May 7th at the hall.

A word of caution…verify any information that any Alltel management person tells you. Call me at the hall or on my cell phone at 396-5702. We want to be sure that what you’re hearing is the truth.

In just the last 2 days we have been quoted as having agreed to things that are not so. We represent you and we will speak for ourselves. Do not think that anyone else has the authority to speak for your union.

I know you didn’t get your incentive payout and the company has said it would be on the next check even though the contract provides for its payment in April. Let me know immediately if they again fail to abide by your contract.

It won’t be easy getting a fair contract from these people but it will be harder without your support.

Remember that on April 29th there are a great many other good places to eat lunch.

I look forward to everyone being at The Springs on the 29th.

In solidarity,
for your local
this is Mike G.

                                                 ALLTEL BARGAINING UPDATE APRIL 21, 2003

We met with the company today and they proposed to do away with…assignment specialists, building service technicians, coei, lineworkers, public access sales technicians, and vehicle maintenance technicians.

How do they propose to fill these jobs? Why, contractors of course.

Remember this proposal follows their prior proposals to virtually do away with the company’s contribution to retiree medical premiums, make us pay as much as $367 for our medical insurance, do away with our lump sum, and force us to sell or be disciplined.

And they want us to attend an appreciation cookout on April 29th. I don’t think so. They sure have a funny way of showing appreciation in Arkansas.

Show your appreciation for the company’s proposals. Write the newspaper and let them know what’s going on…write your state legislators, the mayor, your council members…remember you’re voters and they’ll listen to you.

Future bargaining information will be updated as new information becomes available.

The eboard will meet tomorrow April 22 at the hall at 6pm

In solidarity for your local,
this is Mike G.

                                                  ALLTEL BARGAINING UPDATE APRIL 11, 2003
                                                                                          Day 3

Currently the company proposes to:

· cap retiree medical benefits at $80 if you're under age 65 and $17 if you're over age 65.

· redo our medical so that monthly payments would be around $367 for an employee with a family, $186 for an employee and children, $187 for an employee and spouse, or $95 for a single employee.

· do away with our lump sum benefit.

· remove all language restricting the company's use of contractors.

· make selling a responsibility ultimately punished by discipline if sales objectives are not met.

· add a management rights clause that in effect gives the company wide ranging rights that could negate many of our contractual protections.

This review of the company's proposals is not meant to be aggressive or nasty. It Is simply an outline of a few of the company's proposals that the bargaining team is opposed to. You need to know what the company is proposing in their effort to get a fair and equitable contract.

We will return to the table with Alltel on Tuesday 4/22.

In Solidarity For Your Local
This Is Mike G.

 
To set the record straight Mike Dunlap wasn't there and when I asked about his position on their team I was told that he wasn't on it. What we do have on the team from Alltel is 3, count 'em, 3 lawyers.

Terry is quoted as saying that he wants a "fair and equitable contract agreement." The proposals that they have put on the table are designed to destroy what we have gained over the last 30 years. It cannot be construed as fair and equitable in any way. Again I say to Mr. Beeler; "Do the right thing, Terry." Instruct your bargaining team to put proposals on the table that will result in a fair and equitable contract agreement.

We will be meeting again 4/22, 4/23 and 4/24. In the meantime we will be having a mobilization cookout 4/17 at Shillato Park.

In solidarity,
Mike Garkovich

                                                   ALLTEL BARGAINING UPDATE APRIL 8, 2003
                                                                                         Day 1

Well, we had our first day with Terry and his pirates. They passed their proposals and all they wanted to do was:

Do away with VEBA and make it an aged based pension.
Pay a maximum $80.00 toward retiree medical
Force us to pay towards our medical an undecided maximum amount.
Do away with our lump sum retirement option.
Remove all restrictions on contracting out work
Make selling a responsibility.
Do away with premium pay.
And on and on and on…

In the coming weeks they will attempt to drive wedges between us. Divide the young from the old, the new from the seasoned. Whatever they can. They might tell you what is going on at the bargaining table but don’t believe them. This will be just another attempt to divide us. We will tell you what is happening through regular updates on the news line and the website. But the truth is that their proposals have done more to unify this local than anything that has happened to us in years. We will be updating this as new developments occur.

In solidarity
Mike Garkovich